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Press Release: Grieving Mother's Find Help as Mother's Day Approaches

Wed, 05/04/2011 - 13:07 — julie

Redwood City, CA—The sudden loss of a child is a devastating event for a parent. While the grief process is different for every individual, mothers who have lost a child experience many common threads as they work through the emotional trauma. Recognizing that this particular type of loss requires a particular type of healing, the Tim Griffith Foundation, a local nonprofit, has created the Meadowlark Retreat to offer mothers a safe place to grieve, connect and heal. This year, the third semi-annual retreat was held on April 8-10 in Menlo Park.

As a weekend sanctuary facilitated by professionals in grief counseling, the Meadowlark Retreat creates a unique, residential haven where mothers participate in support groups, art therapy, movement and bodywork, and safe, serene reflection. One mother, Angelique A., who attended the retreat said, “I cannot express how much this weekend has meant to me. My world has changed, my path is brighter. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

Stacey Redman, founder and president of the Tim Griffith Foundation, has survived the loss of an adult child and understands the needs of participants firsthand. “The loss of a child is devastating beyond words. And it is a loss too frightening for many people to acknowledge. Too many mothers bare this burden alone and isolated. The Meadowlark Retreat creates a nurturing refuge for mothers to take crucial first steps to healing and solace.”

Multiple psychological studies confirm that unresolved grief can spiral to dangerous coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse or self-harm. Parents who are not able to function due to the weight of their grief can plummet to the need for social and safety net services. For mothers especially, unresolved grief is often buried due to the fact that they are still responsible for the care and well being of other family members. The Meadowlark Retreat offers a lifeline to these resilient women by preventing the effects of un-mourned loss or unsupported grief.

According to professional grief counselor and retreat facilitator Shelly Gillian, “This is a distinct type of loss—losing a child. And the grief process is reawakened throughout the year with every passing birthday, family gathering, holiday, and especially Mother’s Day.” Currently serving as the Director of Client Services for Kara, a local grief support organization, Gillian believes in the transformative power of the Meadowlark Retreat, as she states, “This retreat helps women through one of life’s most painful experiences. We listen, validate, sympathize, and reassure them in a safe and gentle environment. For many, it is the first time they’ve been able to acknowledge their suffering out loud, without fear, guilt or feeling responsible for comforting others.”

The Tim Griffith Foundation was honored to host this incredible retreat once again and the next retreat is planned for the fall. Hosted at a private home in Menlo Park with gardens and a pool, the Meadowlark Retreat costs approximately $1400 per participant. The Foundation heavily subsidizes this figure, and participants are asked to contribute $450, though there are scholarships available for those in need. Interested women are encouraged to visit the website and contact Stacey Redman for more information.

More Info: Stacey Redman 650-483-9912, SRedman@timgriffithfoundation.org
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The Tim Griffith Foundation heals and strengthens Bay Area communities by providing support and services to those impacted by addiction, violence and loss. Founded in 2005 by a Redwood City mother following the tragic death of her adult son, the Tim Griffith Foundation has raised over $500,000 since its inception and has made financial grants to more than 30 local nonprofit organizations. As a service provider, the Tim Griffith Foundation assists individuals and families directly through the operation of a unique program for mothers who have suffered the sudden loss of a child. A distinctive combination of financial support and direct services, the Tim Griffith Foundation transforms hardship into journeys of healing and hope. www.timgriffithfoundation.org

Press Release: Tim Griffith Foundation Celebrates Success of Funded Youth Violence Prevention Program

Sun, 03/20/2011 - 10:19 — julie

Redwood City, CA—The week of March 21-25 is National Youth Violence Prevention Week, and The Tim Griffith Foundation is one local nonprofit that is proudly honoring this important week, as it continues its commitment to funding violence prevention and peaceful resolutions programs here in our community. The Foundation has already witnessed dramatic results with one program it currently funds, The Transition Program, a joint effort between a local counseling agency and the San Mateo County Office of Education. Supporting students who have been expelled or who are on probation, the Transition Program aids youth in their transition back to public school, ultimately reducing recidivism and assisting in the path to graduation.

For the majority of the youth involved in the program, gang activity, rival neighborhood violence, and racial and ethnic clashes dictate daily life. With a focus on counseling, community building, and renewing hope for the future, the Transition Program has turned an 88% failure rate into an 80% success rate in getting students to stay out of trouble and stay in school.

According to Stacey Redman, Founder of the Tim Griffith Foundation and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, “Youth violence in our community is very real and takes a devastating toll. We have chosen to fund the Transition Program because it is demonstrating remarkable results in reducing violence and offering youth an alternative to destructive paths. As a community, we are all responsible for finding peaceful solutions and helping our young people envision a future full of hope and possibilities.”

The Transition Program, with funding from the Tim Griffith Foundation, is making an extraordinary impact on lives of local youth. During the ’09- ’10 academic year, the Transition Program actively supported and provided counseling to 16 students, eight of whom were still enrolled at the end of 2010. Another five of the 16 were transferred to Redwood High School, where they are completing coursework and on track to graduate with high school diplomas. For youth transitioning from court schools to a Sequoia Union District High School, the approximate reported failure rate was 88% within the first year—meaning students either dropped out of school or had violated probation and were again subjects of the courts. For those youth enrolled with the Transition Program, approximately 81% are successfully matriculated back into school and have not violated probation.

In honor of National Youth Violence Prevention Week, the Tim Griffith Foundation salutes the Transition Program, and the youth it serves. These youth have chosen to reject violence as a reaction to the peer pressure, poverty, hardship or generational patterns they face. Instead, they are choosing compassion, understanding, faith in the future, and peaceful community building as they leave behind crime and embrace education. Though the Transition Program remains small and focused, with supporters such as the Tim Griffith Foundation, the program will continue to operate and reach an increasing number of at-risk youth. The Tim Griffith Foundation is proud to play a role in reducing youth violence in the community by promoting peaceful resolutions for healing and hope.

SF Giants Give Grant to Tim Griffith Foundation

Sat, 08/21/2010 - 20:52 — julie

The Tim Griffith Foundation is proud to announce that we have been selected by the SF Giants to receive a grant through their Community Fund. We have received the grant specifically for the anti-violence work we do (and will continue to do) in our local communities. The award will be presented at a pre-game ceremony on Sunday Sept 19th at the Giants Annual Anti-Violence Game. Please plan to attend the game if you can!

As always - thanks for your support!

Gala Honors Memory of Tim

Sat, 01/09/2010 - 17:48 — julie

As Featured in the January 4 edition of the San Mateo Daily Journal


Alexander M. Kallis
"Ryan and Melissa Doleschal (with infant son Ryder in a front pack) look on as daughter Angelina takes a shot during the croquet tournament segment of the 5th Annual Tim Griffith Memorial Fou Ndation Fundraiser Nov. 21. Ward Kanowsky served as the referee."

“IMAGINE” — the Fifth Annual Gala and Fundraiser for the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation — included a croquet tournament, dinner and silent and live auctions. Thirty-five croquet players took part in the Nov. 21 tournament, which was staged at Beresford Park in San Mateo, and there were 270 attendees at that evening’s dinner and auction at the San Mateo Elks Lodge.

The event raised over $80,000 to support the work that TGMF does with the community — including Tim’s House, grief work and ongoing work around non-violent peaceful resolutions."

TGMF Supporter wins $18,000 Raffle Prize!

Tue, 07/07/2009 - 18:40 — julie

The Redwood City Rotary Club presented San Carlos resident Winston Wykoff (pictured above with Stacey Redman) with a check for $18,000.00 on July 21, 2009. This stroke of luck happened because he attended the Prayer Breakfast hosted by the Service League of San Mateo County this past spring. Mr. Wykoff purchased five $5.00 raffle tickets from the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation, in support of Tim’s House during the Rotary Club annual fundraising campaign.

The campaign benefited ten participating charitable organizations, including TGMF, who were given six months to sell as many raffle tickets as possible leading up to the drawing on July 4th at the Redwood City Independence Day event. Over $84,000.00 was raised in total by these charities.

This was the first year that TGMF was invited to participate in the campaign. Stacey Redman, President of the foundation shares, “We were so honored to be given the chance to participate, and when we learned we sold the winning ticket it made us feel like we were giving the prize away ourselves!” Tim’s House earned just short of $8,000.00 for our efforts, and we warmly thank all of our supporters who purchased tickets!

Tim's House - Now A Reality!

Thu, 10/30/2008 - 14:28 — julie


View event photo gallery

By Shaun Bishop
Daily News Staff Writer
House honors slain Redwood City resident
Article Launched: 10/30/2008 12:54:16 AM PDT

Tim Griffith always invited friends to come home with him, his mother said. When he was young, it was a dog or an iguana. Later, it was friends he met in drug treatment as he strived to overcome his own addiction. That's probably why the dedication of Tim's House in Redwood City on Wednesday felt like a fitting tribute, said Stacey Redman, who lost her son in 2004 when he was fatally stabbed after a Giants game in San Francisco. He was 21.
"I think in some ways he started Tim's House on his own," Redman said. "He always cared so much for people. I was thinking this morning, he would say, 'This is sweet.' "
Dozens of people crowded into the living room of Tim's House, a three-bedroom home that opened earlier this month for men ages 18 to 30 who are participating in drug treatment programs. The mood Wednesday, though, was decidedly positive, even in light of the tragedy that led to the occasion.
San Francisco authorities said Griffith was stabbed Sept. 17, 2004, by Rafael Cuevas during a scuffle as he was leaving the Giants game after watching Barry Bonds hit his 700th home run. Cuevas, 26, was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison for the killing earlier this month.
The house named in his honor is run by the nonprofit Service League of San Mateo County, which bought it from Redwood City aided by a $500,000 federal grant and $100,000 from San Mateo County. The Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation, which Redman founded to honor her son, also pledged to pitch in $50,000 per year for the house's operation.
On hand for the dedication were both local and federal officials, including Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, who spoke directly to Redman before presenting the house with an American flag that had flown over the Capitol. "Thank you for your courage and for channeling your grief into action," Eshoo told her. "And he's watching and he's very proud."
For three months before his death, Griffith participated in San Mateo County's Bridges program, which was created by the courts and includes intensive drug treatment, testing and educational programs. His former probation officer, Rossi Bradford, said Griffith "suffered from a horrible addiction to methamphetamine," but said he was committed to breaking it. "He seems to enjoy himself and takes his recovery seriously," said Bradford, reading from old notes he made about Griffith.
Currently, five recovering addicts and a house manager live in the well-furnished house, which has hardwood floors in the living room, stainless steel appliances in the kitchen and earth-tone comforters on the six beds. Mike Nevin of the service league said the purchase price was about $650,000. "This is a lot nicer than most of them," said Chris Vega, 25, one of the residents, who has fought addictions for 10 years. "It makes you feel better when you wake up and live in a place like this." Residents must abide by strict rules, including no visitors, no drug or alcohol use, a nightly curfew and a positive attitude, said Karen Francone-Hart, who directs the service league's residential treatment programs. Tim's father Josh Griffith said his son was "such a giving person, a caring person" that he would have been elated about the house that bears his name.
Redman said she was always happy to have Tim's friends over at their Redwood City home to barbecue or watch a movie and once asked him why his friends didn't go to their own homes."He said, 'Mom, not everyone has a safe house to live in,' " Redman said. "It's perfect that this has his name on it and his spirit is here."
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**Press Release** Tim's House Dedication on October 29th

Mon, 10/20/2008 - 18:30 — julie

Four Years After Tragedy, San Mateo County Non-Profits Announce New Partnership, Expanded Services

Memory of slain Redwood City youth lives on with opening of “Tim’s House”

REDWOOD CITY, CA – San Mateo County community leaders joined the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation and the Service League of San Mateo County to celebrate the commemorative opening of Tim’s House, a home for young men who are successfully participating in San Mateo County’s BRIDGES Program, an intensive treatment program that focuses on helping drug offenders end the cycle of substance abuse and crime.

Tim’s House is named in honor of Tim Griffith, a BRIDGES Program graduate who was killed following a San Francisco Giants baseball game in 2004. After Tim’s death, his mother, Stacey Redman, founded the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation to help fund support services like the BRIDGES Program.

For Redman, the opening of Tim’s House marks the fulfillment of a dream to expand the services that helped her son before he died. “Tim was a shining example of how successful the BRIDGES Program is when it comes to rebuilding lives”, said Redman. “I know that Tim would be proud to see that his legacy is working to ensure that more young men like him have access to these invaluable services.”

Tim’s House will provide five young men with a residential environment that delivers support services designed to help them transition back into society. The house will be open to BRIDGES Program participants ages 18 to 35 and will be operated by the Service League of San Mateo County as a part of its Hope House Program. Since 1960, the Service League has been providing treatment, education and other support services to San Mateo County Jail inmates and their families. The Service League’s Hope House program supports access to a variety of health and social service to recently released inmates, ensuring that they are prepared to reenter the community, and greatly reducing the likelihood that they will return to jail.

With the addition of Tim’s House, the Service League will be able to provide residential treatment to 42 clients in 6 separate facilities. “This is truly an example of how to build triumph out of tragedy”, said Service League Executive Director Mike Nevin. “Tim’s family and loved ones will never be the same, but we are truly blessed that they are choosing to honor his life by providing the means to help rebuild the lives of others.”

Through $50,000 annual contributions, the Tim Griffith Memorial Foundation will fund the operating expenses for Tim’s House, where Hope House clients are already living in a residential environment. “Thanks to this new collaboration, Tim’s House clients will participate in their own individual treatment plans that include customized programs developed by Service League case managers”, said BRIDGES Program Services Manager Rich Hori. “These services are proven to greatly reduce the likelihood that individuals will become repeat offenders.”

Based on Service League experience, client programs like those provided at Tim’s House are more successful in turning lives around. This is one reason why the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors recently passed a resolution recognizing the contributions that Tim’s House will make to both in the lives of individual participants and the in community at large.

Earlier this month, Tim Griffith’s killer was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison after he was convicted of second degree murder last May. “For those of us who knew Tim, the opening of the house is not just the fulfillment of a goal,” said Rich Hori. It’s also an opportunity for us to reflect on Tim’s life and a chance for us to celebrate how his legacy will survive to serve so many others.

SF Examiner Article on TGMF

Wed, 06/11/2008 - 09:23 — shannon

We are excited to announce that the San Francisco Examiner published an article on TGMF on June 10, 2008. Tamara Barak Aparton writes:

"As jubilant Giants fans celebrated Barry Bonds’ 700th home run Sept. 17, 2004, Tim Griffith was dying of a stab wound just outside of the ballpark.

For his mother, Redwood City resident Stacy Redman, the days following the attack were darkened by intense grief. But it also was then that Griffith’s legacy would be born.

After the 21-year-old’s funeral, Redman and her friends began thinking of ways to show people that Griffith was more than a victim of violence. He was the 5-year-old who once slipped his Christmas money to a homeless man. He was the young man who brought home stray animals and lost souls.

“Something positive had to come out of this,” Redman said. “It couldn’t be that he was lost and that’s that. His spirit was about helping people.”"

To read the full article, please visit the San Francisco Examiner.

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